Angel's tally helps Red Bulls edge Chivas

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- New York Red Bulls
sporting director Jeff Agoos does not think the team can
immediately replace a player like the soon-departing Jozy
Altidore. But Juan Pablo Angel did his part for the time being.

Fighting soreness in his back and hamstring, Angel headed home a
ball from Dane Richards in the 75th minute to lift the Red Bulls
past Chivas USA, 1-0, on Thursday night.

"He is a top professional," New York head coach Juan Carlos
Osorio said of Angel. "He hasn't been having the best time this
season compared to last year, but he is very committed to the
club."

In putting an end to Chivas' three-match winning streak, the Red
Bulls triumphed for the first time since their 2-1 victory at
Los Angeles on May 10, which also came by virtue of a
game-winner from Angel.

"It was one of those games where we had to scrap for goals,"
Angel said. "Important players and names were missing, but we
kept it together for a great win."

New York was without the services of its leading scorer,
Altidore (left ankle), and captain Claudio Reyna (right
hamstring). Angel, who just returned after missing the team's
prior two contests, hopes he won't be rejoining that list.

"I was feeling sore in my back and hamstring before the game and
it got worse after the goal," Angel said. "I don't think I
pulled anything; I'm just sore right now."

An ailing Angel is an especially welcomed sight for Osorio, who
lost Altidore to Spain's La Liga. The explosive 18-year-old
striker held a pregame news conference to discuss his imminent
transfer to Villarreal.

"For us there is nothing I can say," said Osorio. "I was
notified by the MLS that they agreed on a transfer fee and there
is little we can do now except concentrate on what's best for
our club moving forward."

Altidore, who must now agree to personal terms with the club and
pass a physical, was eligible to play Thursday.

Although Angel provided the heroics, it was defender Jeff Parke
and New York's back line that frustrated one of the league's top
scoring teams. Chivas experienced difficulty in penetrating the
Red Bulls' defense, and when it did, veteran goalkeeper Jon
Conway was there to smother every shot - including a left-footer
from 15 yards out by Atiba Harris in the 82nd minute.

"We had six, seven great chances in the second half that we
didn't connect on," Chivas head coach Preki Radosavljevic said.
"The final pass wasn't good enough or the shot went straight to
the goalkeeper. We didn't manage to break them down."